My head-cold only lasted 24 hours, but the resulting sinus infection is ongoing. Yesterday the pain was so bad that I had to leave work early, which meant that my planned half-day of work today turned into a full-day of work. I wouldn't have minded so much, except the weather outside was so beautiful. It makes me miss my motorcycle.
Of course, right now what I really miss is having the energy to stay out of bed all day. The antibiotics really wipe me out, so pretty much all I can do is work and sleep. This is a darn shame, because I've got a to-do list a mile long before I start traveling again in two weeks.
Hopefully I'll have the energy to make it through The Oscars tomorrow night...
In general, I find The Oscars to be a load of crap, but it still makes for an interesting evening of television.
My "best movie" last year was Star Trek. For sheer entertainment value, I just can't seem to get enough of it. But it wasn't nominated for Best Picture, so I'd probably have to go with Inglourious Basterds, followed closely by District 9 and The Hurt Locker which were all amazing films. So was Moon but it wasn't nominated either. The odds of Inglourious Basterds winning Best Picture are slim, but I think it's a lock for Best Original Screenplay (and deservedly so).
As far as Best Director, I think that Kathryn Bigelow nailed it with Hurt Locker, but I wouldn't be unhappy if James Cameron got it, because his fingerprints are on every frame of Avatar, which is a magnificient achievement in filmmaking. And, of course, I'm not going to have any complaints if Quentin Tarantino wins. Ever.
I don't care about any of the actor categories except Best Supporting Actor for Christoph Waltz. His incredible performance in Inglourious Basterds is about as Oscar-worthy a role as you will ever see.
Speaking of Inglourious Basterds, it's my pick for Best Editing. Quentin's films are always paced impeccably, and the way the various storylines are so perfectly woven together in the editing room is a testament to Tarantino's vision.
The Best Animated Feature Film I saw last year was probably Up, which had a really good story behind it (though I thought the actual "traditional" animation on either Ponyo or The Secret of Kells was the best of the lot). That being said, I also enjoyed Fantastic Mr. Fox, Coraline, and Princess and the Frog so I'd be happy with any of them winning. As for Best Animated Short, that clearly has to go to Nick Park for his Wallace & Gromit short A Matter of Loaf and Death.
Art Direction and Visual Effects are clearly Avatar's to win. This is the future of filmmaking, and has opened entirely new worlds in movies.
I'd give Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Makeup to Star Trek on principle.
The other categories I don't have enough information to make an opinion on.
Of course, this is The Oscars, so I'll be lucky if even one of my picks is actually a winner. But there you have it.
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I’ll take your word for it. Last movie I saw in the theater was Up. Before that? The Incredibles. Not sure what was before that, but I can almost guarantee I had kids under 10 years old with me.
I suck at movies. 😉
At least you get the choice whether to watch the Oscars or not…..my cable company is fighting with ABC Disney, so we have no ABC for the foreseeable future.
I guess if life was a playground and I needed someone to be my older brother/bodyguard, it would so be Cablevision.
I would like Fantastic Mr. Fox to win Best Animated. I thought that was a better film than Up. Up started getting derivative towards the last act.
I’ve seen Star Trek three times in the theaters and twice on Blu-ray and cannot get enough of it. They really struck gold with it.
Inglourious Basterds has a better shot at Best Picture than I thought a few months ago. The Avatar/Hurt Locker feuding may push the obvious second place vote to the top.
Of course, they could do like they always do and give the *real* best films the awards for Best Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay and disregard them for the top award.
Hmmmmmm. Other than that, there are too many locks for the individual awards. I’d like to see Carey Mulligan upset Sandra Bullock for Best Actress but I can’t imagine any other upsets.
Hope you’re feeling better ASAP!
I think Coraline should the Animated Film award. However, it should also get the worst ad campaign award. Coraline was mostly oriented towards children, but really was to scary for a lot of kids. Should have been for a slightly older audience.
I’m rooting for Kathryn Bigelow just so when she gets up to the mic she can say something like “I’d like to thank my ex-husband, James Cameron, and his alimony checks with made this movie possible.”
I hear ya, but I have to put in one final plug – if you watch The Cove, you’ll learn why swimming with them is not helping, and is actually hurting the cause. Very informative.
Ok, I’ll stop.
🙂
For the most part, I agree that this is true. Though my complete thoughts on the subject can be found here.
I’m posting this after the awards, but I actually saw the Oscar winner for Best Animated Short – Logorama. A well done (very rendered) piece of film making.
Tarantino got robbed!